It is hard to think of Hiroshima in Japan without thinking of the dreadful events that occurred there on 6th August 1945. It was the first city in the entire world to suffer the consequences of being hit by an atomic bomb. To commemorate the awful events there is now a Memorial Park on the site of the original devastation.

If you visit Hiroshima today it pays to take a look at your surroundings. After the bomb was dropped all those years ago, more than two thirds of the city was completely destroyed.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park occupies an area that used to be bustling with business people and commercial workers. The bomb turned the area into a wasteland, and it is this area that is now used as a tribute to all those who died, as well as to the victims of nuclear bombs worldwide.

The park was originally opened in 1954 on the 1st April, and since then it has never closed. It is a peaceful place to come and contemplate the world around you, and of Hiroshima’s place in the history of the Second World War.

One significant part of the park has been accorded a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is what remains of the Industrial Promotion Hall. It has not been touched since the bomb was dropped, and while it is in ruins it is the only building left standing that was right near the centre of the bomb’s explosion. The building is now referred to as the A Bomb Dome, because the bomb exploded just above it.

It is quite something to think that the building was not erased along with most of the rest of the buildings around it. The condition of the building and the skeletal dome shaped structure at the top of it were eventually agreed to remain as they were, so they would stand as a reminder of what once happened there.

It is heartening to see the rest of the city has risen from the ruins of what happened back in 1945. But with the Memorial Park there to remind us of what occurred, we can never forget how Hiroshima suffered.

Yes, you thought the only way you could see Universal Studios was to go to America, didn’t you? Not everyone knows about the Universal Studios that is situated in Japan, but you can have just as good a day out here as you can in the US.

So what can you expect from the Japanese version of Universal Studios?

Well you will find it in Osaka, and unbelievably it has been open since 2001. There are plenty of attractions here to look forward to so you should expect to spend a full day here and arrive as early as you can. It is a good idea to check in advance to see what time the park opens each day – as well as checking closing times – as they can vary throughout the year.

There are countless different rides and shows to look forward to here, including a shortened version of the stage show Wicked. This is based on the Wizard of Oz and the untold part of the story, and is well worth seeing while you are in the park.

If you are more interested in rides then you should try out Space Fantasy – The Ride. This is a full ten minute experience that is really well worth trying out if you wish. Elsewhere you can also try out the famous Jurassic Park ride or the Jaws ride too. These are two of the most popular rides in the park, just as they are elsewhere in the world. Even if you have never been to Universal Studios you will no doubt have heard of these two rides!

The Jurassic Park ride is actually a water ride during which time you will encounter all kinds of dinosaurs. The last one will be sure to terrify you as you try and get away from the T-Rex that will send you down a steep drop into the waters below.

When you consider this is only one of the many rides and attractions you can look forward to at the Universal Studios in Japan, you can see why it is one of the best places to visit while you are there.

Whenever you visit somewhere like Tokyo in Japan, you have to figure out how you are going to get around while you are there. As far as Tokyo is concerned, travelling means either getting around on foot or hopping on the Metro.

The Tokyo Metro is an experience in itself and it should be attempted by everyone who visits the city. Luckily you don’t have to wait until you arrive in Japan to find out what the Metro map looks like. You can easily download a copy from the official Tokyo Metro website. Now this should make your journey a little easier, for sure.

The map itself looks a little daunting to begin with, but when you see the lines are all coloured just as they are on the London Underground, it will make life a little easier. Each station is clearly labelled and the major venues, such as Tokyo itself, are labelled in larger print.

But what about trying out the Metro for real? Well you won’t find it too much different from the London Underground or even the New York Subway for example. It does get crowded all through the day, particularly when people start and finish work, so try and avoid those times if you can. You will find it easier to stay standing if you don’t get a seat though, as most cars have plenty of handles to hang on with. This is ideal if you happen to be a little bit shorter than average and cannot reach the bars along the ceiling.

The Metro seems to be more courteous in many ways in Tokyo, which makes for a fascinating experience. Some cars are designated to be used by women and children only, which is good if you are travelling with children and you want to stay in that environment. You should also make sure your mobile is either on silent or switched off. This makes for a better experience for everyone.

Experience – that is certainly the right word to use when riding the Tokyo Metro. Make sure you don’t leave town before trying it at least once.

When you visit Japan, you know your taste buds are in for as much of a treat as the rest of you. When you are surrounded by opportunities to taste gorgeous Japanese food at every turn, you won’t be able to resist trying everything in sight.

Firstly if you have the taste for seafood you will certainly want to try sushi – although strictly speaking this is different from what you will know as sushi at home. We tend to think of sushi as being nothing but raw fish, but traditionally the word applies to vinegar rice that has been cooked. If you want sushi as you would know it here, ask for sashimi.

Watch out for the chance to visit a kaiten sushi bar though. This is the type of restaurant where the food goes round on a conveyor belt and you pick the dishes you want as they go by. You pay per plate and they are generally selected to be different colours, so you can tell how much each one is before you choose it. At the end they will count up your plates and charge you accordingly. It is an experience for sure – and not just because of the food!

Whatever you end up eating you will probably be amazed at the flavours you are bombarded with. And indeed this applies to pretty much all Japanese food. The main ingredients you will eat are rice and noodles, and then various accompaniments are added to those to make the complete dish. Be brave and try as many different things as you can – you will soon discover that most Japanese food is very healthy and this is why they are all so slim!

Keep an eye out for skewered chicken being cooked on barbecues as well. Your nose will tell you where the nearest venue is for buying this. The chicken is grilled and then covered in a sauce before reaching the barbecue to be finished off. Many tourists love this and you will probably be no exception!

Enjoy all the tastes and flavours Japan has to offer during your stay.

How much do you think you can fit underneath a dome? The answer lies in Tokyo’s Dome City, which has plenty to offer to everyone who happens to be visiting the city. If you have kids in tow you can look forward to taking them there to see what they think as well.

And there is a lot to take in too. For starters you have an amusement park to explore which has a linear roller coaster to try out. If you have the stomach for it you can also try the spinning roller coaster. Judging from the pictures you will need to love these rides a lot, since they really test your nerve and give you the ride of your life. If you prefer something a bit more sedate you can try out the bowling centre to see whether you can get a strike.

Elsewhere there are plenty of restaurants to try when you are feeling a little bit peckish. The Baseball Café will give you an authentic taste of American food if you want it; otherwise there are several other venues you can try out for a meal. And if you want to take some souvenirs home with you, there are plenty of shops around the Dome that have a good array of souvenirs to buy.

There is more to come too. What about paying a visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame for example? There is a museum here as well so if you have an interest in baseball you will no doubt want to take a closer look. And if all that leaves you tired and ready to recharge your batteries, why not head for the spa that also calls the Tokyo Dome City home?

As you can see there are so many different activities and things to do in the Dome, you may find it difficult trying to choose which one you want to do first. If you have the family with you make sure you allocate the best part of a day to explore everything it has to offer.

Which country do you think of when you want to visit Disneyland or another Disney park? You probably think of America, or possibly Disneyland in Paris.

But what about Tokyo? Does this location ever come across your mind?

If it doesn’t you might be persuaded to head out to Japan for a fantastic holiday with a touch of Disney thrown in. The Japan site in Tokyo has lots to offer, including the usual touch of Disney that we all know and love.

One of the most famous locations is called Disney Sea. As the name would suggest this is all to do with the sea and the ocean, and thus it makes a nice change from the usual Disney parks. You won’t be far from Disneyland itself though, because Disney Sea is just next door. It is possible to do both in one day although you won’t see everything if you do. Try and allocate a couple of days in this part of Tokyo – one for each park.

So what can you see in Disney Sea? The area is split into ports, and there are seven ports in total. These include the Lost River Delta, the Arabian Coast and the Mysterious Island. There is also the American Waterfront so you can get a taste of USA style entertainment and fun here as well.

Each port has its own special mix of attractions, including roller coasters and plenty more entertainment for the whole family to get involved in. You can ride on the Journey to the Centre of the Earth on the Mysterious Island, or take Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage – a more laid back ride the kids will love.

The American Waterfront is well done – enough so you will forget you are even in Japan. You can also explore the infamous Tower of Terror here if you dare. In fact the whole park is somewhat different from the usual Disney fare, and it provides a nice contrast to Disneyland next door. If you are travelling to Japan with the whole family, you should definitely visit Disney Sea as well.

Every country has its must see sights. And if one of them happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you know it is worth taking time out to pay a visit.

One such location in Japan is Himeji Castle. Its appearance from a distance alone captivates the attention, and you will find the pull to visit it is virtually irresistible.

But why is it so desirable as a visitor attraction?

There are two main reasons why it is very popular. Firstly many people think this is the most stunning castle in all of Japan. There are others, but none are quite as eye catching as this one. Its white walls help to mark it out as unusual, and it has earned the name ‘shirasagi-jo’ as a result. This translates into ‘white heron castle’.

The second reason is that it has survived relatively intact since it was rebuilt in the 1580s. The original castle was constructed in the early to mid 1300s and lasted nearly three hundred years before it was destroyed. This is a history which is unique among all Japanese castles, and it means it has a lot more to offer by way of original features to view.

You will be amazed at the views both of and from the castle whatever time of the year you visit. But it’s worth trying to get there in April if you can, as this is right in the thick of the cherry blossom season. And the area around the castle is known for its blossoms.

A stay in Kyoto is the best bet if you want to plan a visit to Himeji Castle, as it’s not far from there. Himeji Station is the destination to head for, and the castle is just a short distance away, ready and waiting to be explored by you. Be sure to take a camera and don’t miss the views from inside the castle itself. It’s a great way to see more of the surroundings.

And when you see the castle for yourself, you will see why Japan has regarded it as a national treasure - because it truly is.